Use of exposure information and animal cancer data in the prevention of environmental and occupational cancer

Abstract

In order to prevent cancer, a hazard should optimally be identified before humans are exposed to it. Therefore, valid procedures should be available for predicting human risks on the basis of experimental results. The adequacy of experimental data for identifying potential human health risks have been the subject of scientific question and debate. Use of such results and of data on exposure in setting priorities for cancer prevention should, in principle, be feasible in view of the relatively good correlation between animal and human data. Studies have also revealed a reasonable quantitative relationship between carcinogenic potencies of several chemicals in laboratory rodents and humans. The ranking of cancer hazards on the basis of experimental data requires estimates of both the extent of human exposure and of the size of the exposed population. Occupational exposures can result in high individual exposures, whereas the general population is usually exposed to lower levels. Action for cancer prevention can be taken at both levels.